Manila seeks ‘humane treatment’ of Filipino prisoners

Media reported that 79 individuals have been arrested to date. – Reuters pic

KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 – The Philippine government has asked Malaysia to ensure “humane treatment” of the Filipinos who were detained in connection with the ongoing armed conflict with the Sulu army in Sabah.

ABS-CBN News reported on its website this afternoon that the request was conveyed in a “note verbale” from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to Malaysia, amid reports that 79 individuals have been arrested to date.

The department also requested that the Philippine humanitarian team in Lahad Datu be given “full access” to the detainees who are currently kept under close watch in Malaysia.

“We know there are around 10 Filipinos under detention by the Malaysian authorities.

“And the DFA also trusts that the Filipinos will be given a humane treatment by the Malaysian government,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda was quoted as saying.

Lacierda also repeated the Aquino administration’s call on the Sulu gunmen in Sabah to “lay down arms”, noting that this was the only way to stop more blood from being spilled.

“The President, the DFA, this government continue to exert all efforts to explore all avenues towards a peaceful resolution. As the statement yesterday mentioned, the ceasefire is just one of those options,” he reportedly said.

Malaysian security forces are still engaged in a gun battle with the group of Sulu rebels led by Agbimuddin Kiram, the brother of self-styled Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III.

The men, numbering to over 200, had landed in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, in Sabah on February 9, with plans to stake their Sultanate’s ownership over the north Borneo territory citing historical records dating back to the 17th century.

Malaysian authorities said yesterday that 52 Sulu militants have been shot dead since the clashes began last Friday.

A total of eight Malaysian policemen were killed in Lahad Datu and in Semporna during the weekend skirmishes, leading to a death toll of 60.

Malaysia rejected Jamalul’s call for ceasefire yesterday, demanding instead that the “sultan” order his men to lay down arms peacefully and unconditionally.

The Kiram clan had earlier called for the ceasefire but insisted on remaining in Sabah.